USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1940 > Part 19
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$102,222.16
Accounts Receivable: Taxes: Poll: Levy of 1936,
$ 8.00
Levy of 1937,
148.00
Levy of 1938,
690.00
Levy of 1939,
1,790.00
Levy of 1940,
9,932.00
Property:
Levy of 1929,
29.10
Levy of 1930,
18.85
Levy of 1932,
17.42
Levy of 1933,
15.00
Levy of 1934,
17.88
Levy of 1935,
174.53
Levy of 1936,
688.79
Levy of 1937,
2,864.77
Levy of 1938,
5,754.27
Levy of 1939, 321,395.81
Motor Vehicle Excise:
Levy of 1934,
$ 723.10
Levy of 1935,
1,312.41
Levy of 1936,
50.81
Levy of 1937,
667.67
Levy of 1938,
545.57
Levy of 1939,
1,455.40
4,754.96
Special Assessments: Moth:
Levy of 1935,
$ .80
Levy of 1936,
2.10
Levy of 1937,
6.23
Levy of 1938,
3.15
Levy of 1939,
357.81
Sidewalk Added to Taxes 1939, 193.66
Committed Sidewalk Interest 1939 24.49
Sidewalk 1940,
5.76
604.00
Tax Titles and Possessions:
Tax titles,
$330,791.70
Tax Title Possessions,
7,255.46
338,047.16
Departmental:
Temporary Aid,
$16,432.67
Aid to Dependent Children, 289.28
Old Age Assistance, 3,018.82
State Aid,
1,620.00
Military Aid,
685.00
20,945.57
Water:
Liens:
Levy of 1933 and Prior,
$ 103.55
Levy of 1935,
51.16
Levy of 1937,
90.04
Levy of 1938, 79.38
Levy of 1939,
1,750.35
Rates:
December 1932,
193.51
June 1933,
240.69
December 1933,
61.84
June 1934,
127.46
December 1934,
297.58
June 1935,
140.82
December 1935,
188.78
June 1936,
236.54
December 1935,
218.09
June 1937
116.31
December 1937,
119.04
June 1938,
89.21
December 1938,
222.88
June 1939,
4,074.31
December 1939,
7,192.69
15,594.23
Federal Grant (Non-Revenue) : Sewer Construction, P.W.A.,
45,000.00
W. A. Wilson, Former Collector: Unidentified Cash,
82.38
Unprovided for Accounts:
Expenditures in Advance of Appropriations 1940,
$153,380.98
County Hospital Assessment 1940,
7,063.23
Understimates State
Assessment 1939,
108.06
Court Judgment,
400.00
Overlay Deficits:
Levy of 1929,
35.85
Levy of 1930,
34.30
Levy of 1938,
2,354.65
Levy of 1939,
2,484.60
155,851.67
$1,036,456.75
$1,035,466.75
Deferred Revenue Accounts
Apportioned Sidewalk Assessments Not Due,
$640.77
Due in 1940, $515.37
Due in 1941,
125.40
$640.77
Debt Accounts
Net Funded or Fixed Debt,
$958,190.73 Fire and Police Station Loan,
$ 55,000.00
Sewer Construction Loans,
477,000.00
School Loans,
42,600.00
Water Loans,
27,000.00
Tax Title Loans,
319,590.73
Municipal Relief Loans,
47,000.00
$968,190.73
$958,190.73
Trust Accounts
$92,387.13 B. N. Johnson Library Fund, $6,126.00
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities,
G. M. Wilson Library Fund, 2,229.86
$ 7,354.85
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds,
85,032.28
$92,387.13
$92,387.13
Retirement Accounts
Annunity Savings Fund,
$13,702.42
Annuity Reserve Fund,
23.36
$24,992.28
Pension Accumulation Fund,
11,267.85
234.72
Expense Fund,
233.37
$25,227.00
3,143.04 13.60 45.76
Federal Grant - Aid to Dependent Children - Administration, County Dog Fund - Reserved for Appropriation, 2,357.72
Surplus War Bonus Fund and Accumulations: Surplus War Bonus Fund, Accumulations, $6,596.49 1,584.51
Sale of Cemetery Lots and Graves Fund, Over-estimates State Assessment 1939, Road Machinery Fund, Appropriation Balances: Revenue (Prior Year's Specials) : Sewer Commission, $1,447.98
Reconstruction Woodbury Ave. and Hesper Street, 1,088.92 Land Damages Woodbury Ave. and Hesper Street, 446.00
Land Taking-T. E. Berrett, 1.00
Water Survey, 50.00
Rebuilding Wall and Fence, Old Parish Cemetery, 246.83
Non-Revenue:
Municipal Relief 1938: Public Welfare, $ 23.98
Aid to Dependent Children, 1,500.00
Soldiers' Relief, 1,334.09
Sewer Construction: W.P.A. Docket No. 16,218, P.W.A. Docket No. 1422F,
159.32
Appellate Tax Board Judgments (Excess), Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus,
Overlays Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1932, $ 17.42
Levy of 1935, 16.00
Levy of 1936, 68.22
Levy of 1937, 1,353.97
1,464.61
Revenue Reserved Until Collected: Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, 4,754.96
Special Assessment, 604.00
Tax Title, 338,047.16
Departmental, 20,945.67
Water, 15,594.23
Federal Grant (Non-Revenue), 45,000.00
424,946.02
Revenue 1940:
Polls Assessed, $ 9,932.00
Estimate Receipts Collected, 22,010.45
31,942.46 19,329.19
Surplus Revenue,
$500,000.00
Redemptions Reserved for Payment of Tax Title Loans,
9,851.55 100.00 180.00
Reserve for Petty Cash Advance, Guarantee Deposits - Water Services, Trust Fund Income: Johnson Library Fund, $338.03
Wilson Library Fund, 71.50 Cemetery Perpetual Care, 2,733.41
Premium on Loans, Tailings,
Overpayınents: $4.04 Moth Assessments 1938, Water Leins, 1936, 6,00
9.04
28.10
7,280.00 4,107.60 1,930.05 80.49
3,280.73
6,629.66
9,645.94 975.19 15,744.66
$26,227.00
Municipal Contributory Retirement System Funds: Cash and Securities, Interest Deficiency,
Apportioned Sidewalk Assessment Revenue:
$640.77
343,344.52
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES Temporary Loans: In Anticipation of Revenue 1939. $400,000.00 In Anticipation of Revenue 1940, 100,000.00
177
REPORT OF AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
1940]
ments be placed on the treasury warrants.
The payments on account of ma- turing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due during the period covered by the audit and were checked with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The outstanding coupons on March 19, 1940, were listed and reconciled with the balance in the bond and coupon account as shown by a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer, as custodian of the library and cemetery trust funds and as treasurer of the retirement system funds, were examined and checked in detail. The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the several funds were personally examined, the in- come was proved, and all transac- tions were verified and compared with the treasurer's and the ac- countant's books; and in the case of the retirement system funds, were checked with the records of the Re- tirement board.
Forms for the recording of the cemetery trust funds were provided for the treasurer's office, and these forms should be written up and used for recording all cemetery trust fund transactions.
The treasurer's records of tax titles held by the town were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes transferred to the tax title account were compared with the tax books, the recorded redemptions on
account of tax titles were checked to the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles disclaimed or foreclosed were compared with the recorded affidavits on file. The tax titles held on March 19, 1940, were listed and checked with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
A great deal of the time con- sumed in making this audit was spent in reconciling the tax title accounts, due to the very large number of tax titles held and the complicated transactions involved. The aggregate of the outstanding tax titles has increased from $233,- 460.84 on March 30, 1937, as shown by the previous audit balance sheet, to $330,791.70 as of March 19, 1940,
as shown by the appended balance sheet.
The tax possessions obtained by foreclosure of tax titles were checked with the records in the Registry of Deeds and with the assessors' records. It was found that a number of possessions fore- closed to the town were still being assessed by the town to prior own- ers. In some cases these posses- sions had been later sold by the town, but no record of the new own- er was found in the assessors' records.
It is recommended that the trea- surer, prior to instituting proceed- ings toward foreclosure of rights of redemption of tax titles held by the town, notify the collector of the action about to be taken, so that the collector may add any outstand- ing taxes to the existing tax title account. The assessors should also be promptly notified by the trea- surer of all tax title foreclosures, as well as of all sales of tax title possessions, so as to insure the proper assessment of subsequent taxes.
Appended to this report are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, of the bond and coupon account, summaries of the tax title accounts, together with schedules showing the condition and transactions of the trust and re- tirement funds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The taxes and asessments, as well as water charges, outstanding according to the previous examination were au- dited, and all subsequent commit- ments of taxes, assessments, and water charges were analyzed and verified.
The collector's cash books were footed, the recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer as shown by the treasurer's and the accountant's books, and the cash balance on March 19, 1940, was verified by ac- tual count. The recorded abate- ments were checked with the as- sessors records of abatements granted on taxes and with the records of the water commissioners
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
of abatements granted on water charges.
The outstanding taxes, assess- ments, and water charges were listed and reconciled with the ac- countant's ledger, and were fur- ther verified by mailing notices to a large number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the re- plies thereto indicating that the outstanding accounts, as listed, are correct.
Tables showing a reconciliation of the collector's cash and sum- maries of the tax, assessment, and water accounts are appended to this report.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts on account of licenses, permits, re- cording fees, etc., were examined and checked in detail. The payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's and the ac- countant's books, and the cash bal- ance was verified by count of the cash in the office.
The records of dog licenses is- sued on behalf of the county, and of sporting licenses, the receipts of which are paid to the State, were examined, checked, and compared with the amounts due and paid to the town, county, and state.
Summary tables of the town clerk's receipts and proof of the cash balance are appended to this report.
The surety bonds furnished by the town officials required by law to be bonded were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of accounts receiv- able of the public welfare depart- ment were examined and checked with the records in the treasurer's and the accountant's offices. It is recommended that a determined effort be made to secure settlement of the overdue accounts and that those accounts found to be uncol- lectible be written off.
The records of departmental cash collections by the sealer of weights and measures, by the building, plumbing and milk inspectors, as well as by the health, school, library, cemetery, and all other de- partments in which money was col- lected for the town were examined and checked. The payments to the town treasurer were verified and the cash on hand in the several de- partments was proved by actual count.
Appended to this report are tables showing the financial tran- sactions of the several departments.
For the cooperation rendered by all town officials during the prog- ress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts
Umun of Saugus Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and
Superintendent of Schools
of the Town of Saugus, Mass.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1940.
TOWN. OF . SAUGUS
1629
1815
2
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
In Memoriam
MITTIE J. SMITH
A FAITHFUL AND CONSCIENTIOUS TEACHER.
COMMENCED TEACHING IN SAUGUS IN 1919.
DIED IN RAYMOND, N.H. IN 1940.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman.
WALDO B. RUSSELL.
1. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
1940]
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
3
In Memoriam
FRANK H. SPENCER
A FAITHFUL AND DEPENDABLE SCHOOL CUSTODIAN.
APPOINTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1926.
DIED IN THE YEAR 1939.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman. WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
4
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Retired After Faithful Serhice
EMMA B. HUGHES
APPOINTED TO TEACH IN SAUGUS IN 1914.
COMPLETED TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TEACHING SERVICE AND RETIRED IN JUNE 1940.
Old in service, but young in spirit and zeal.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman. WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1940]
Retired After Faithful Serbice
ELSIE B. FOSTER
APPOINTED TO TEACH IN SAUGUS IN 1920.
COMPLETED TWENTY YEARS OF CONTINUOUS TEACHING SERVICE AND RETIRED IN JUNE 1940.
Her Service Was Loyal and Painstaking.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman. WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
6
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Retired After Faithful Serbice
JOSEPH J. QUINT
APPOINTED A SCHOOL CUSTODIAN IN 1924.
COMPLETED FIFTEEN YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND RETIRED IN JUNE 1939.
School Committee
1 WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman. WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1940]
Report of School Committee
School Committee WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman 6 Allison Road Term expires 1942 WALDO B. RUSSELL 8 Anawan Avenue Term expires 1943
GEORGE A. McCARRIER 31 Prospect Street Term expires 1941 HARRY F. WENTWORTH 11 Emory Street Term expires 1943
ANNIE L. HALLIN 35 Adams Avenue Term expires 1942
Superintendent of Schools VERNON W. EVANS 94 Chestnut St., Tel. Saugus 805
Office, High School Bldg., Tel. Saugus 775
Office Hours, 3:30 to 4:30 P. M. Every School Day
Secretary to Superintendent Anna V. Jacobs
8 School Street Saugus
Attendance Officers
Anne C. Prendergast
23 Henry Street Saugus
Prudence Priest
19 Stocker Street Saugus
School Physicians Dr. Leroy C. Furbush
420 Lincoln Avenue Saugus
Dr. Mary Penny
26 Jackson Street
Saugus
Dr. James A. Clark
545 Lincoln Avenue
Saugus
Dr. Joseph O. Ward
40 Main Street Saugus
School Nurses
Anne C. Prendergast
23 Henry Street Saugus
Prudence Priest
19 Stocker Street
Saugus
High School Principal
John A. W. Pearce
15 Myrtle Street
Saugus
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term, 1940: Opened Sep- tember 4, 1940. Closed December 20, 1940.
Winter Term, 1941: (first half) : Opens, January 6, 1941. Closes February 28, 1941. Winter Term, 1941: (Second half) : Opens March 10, 1941. Closes April 25, 1941.
Spring Term, 1941: Opens, May 5, 1941. Closes June 27, 1941. (Earlier closing date dependent on Weather)
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS Elementary Grades
8 A. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio station WNAC, means no morning session for the Elementary grades and Opportun- ity classes.
12:45 P. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio station WHDH means no afternoon session for the Elementary grades.
High School and Junior High Schools
6:45 A. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WNAC means no session of Senior or Junior High schools on that day.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage 1090
Ballard 1091
Cliftondale 1092
Emerson
1093
Felton 1094
Lynnhurst 1095
Old Roby
1388
Sweetser
1097
North
Saugus
1098
Roby
1099
Oaklandvale
731
High School
260
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus:
At a meeting of the School Com- mittee which took place on Decem- ber 30, 1940, it was unanimously voted to accept the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools as the report of the School Com- mittee required by the statutes. WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman
8
MEMBERSHIP - DECEMBER 20, 1940.
School
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
P.G. Totals
Armitage ..
28
33
20
32
27
28
Ballard.
39
41
51
38
35
28
Ballard.
143
Cliftondale.
35
34
32
42
27
22
29
31
109
Emerson ......
213
Felton.
37
35
35
30
41
35
83
Lynnhurst.
12
15
17
11
13
15
71
North Saugus
12
12
10
13
12
12
Oaklandvale.
28
19
18
13
12
27
Old Roby.
19
24
31
.....
243
Roby.
49
34
43
41
45
31
Roby.
......
43
40
148
231
Sweetser
289
231
204
232
2
958
High
126
298
424
Central Junior High
29
29
Special Class
Totals.
267
264
279
282
303
278
274
298
289
231
204
232
31
3232
................
....
...
117
74
42
38
80
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
168
232
57
33
24
9
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1940]
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the Honorable School Commit- tee and Citizens of Saugus:
It is both the duty and the privi- lege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his eighth annual report for the School Department, the same being the forty-eighth annual report.
THE 1940 BUDGET
At the annual March Town Meeting of 1940 the School De- partment was voted a general bud- get of $225,816.51 and a repair budget of $5,000.00.
The severity of the winter of 1940 made it necessary for the School Committee to secure a transfer of $1,000.00 from the re-
serve fund of the Finance Com- mittee for fuel. This amount added to $225,816.51 made the 1940 gen- eral budget a total of $226,816.51.
Net 1940 Educational Cost
Although $226,816.51 (General Budget) and $5,000.00 (Repair Budget), a total of $231,816,51, was appropriated in 1940 for the expenses of education, this sum does not represent the amount of money expended by the taxpayers of Saugus for education. (School Department expenditures) .
The following refunds, as far as can be ascertained at the writing of this report, have been returned to the town treasury during the year 1940:
State reimbursement on account of the employment of teachers: Chapter 70, Part I, General Laws $33,916.88
Tuition from City of Boston (For Boston wards) 244.26
Tuition from Commonwealth of Mass. (For State wards) 1,747.54
Miscellaneous income 58.15
Americanization Class. (State reimbursement)
178.00
$36,144.83
This total sum of $36,144.83 in various forms of refunds lessens the cost of education to the tax- payers of Saugus by the above amount. We, therefore, subtract this sum of $36,144.83 from the total amount appropriated ($231,- 816.51) in order to determine the actual cost of education to the tax- payers of the town. This cost is $195,671.68 for the year 1940 and not $231,816.51 as most people be- lieve.
School Cost Comparisons
The school costs in the Town of Saugus are ridiculously low in comparison with other towns of comparable size in the Common- wealth. There are 83 towns in the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts with a population of 5,000 persons or over. In the expendi- tures of money from all sources for education Saugus stands 81st out of the 83 towns. This is indeed not an enviable position and one of
which the citizens of the town should not be proud. It definitely proves that our town is not making the investment in future citizen- ship that is being made by many towns of much poorer financial standing.
As further means of comparison I present herewith six tables show- ing per pupil costs in nine towns of comparable size to Saugus. It is easy to again see that the position of Saugus is not an enviable one.
Table I shows the cost per pupil for school textbooks.
Table II shows the cost per pupil for general control.
Table III shows the cost per pupil for the salaries of Supervisors, Principals and Teachers.
Table IV shows the cost per pupil for the promotion of health.
Table V shows the cost per pupil for the purchase of new equipment.
Table VI shows the cost per pupil for the total support of education.
10
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TABLE I Textbooks
Greenfield
$2.56
Norwood
2.41
Milton
1.36
Wakefield
1.35
Southbridge
1.29
Milford
1.19
Winthrop
1.13
Dedham
.96
Saugus
.80
Braintree
.58
TABLE II General Control
Southbridge
$3.61
Milton
3.47
Wakefield
3.46
Greenfield
3.18
Norwood
3.06
Dedham
3.05
Milford
2.76
Winthrop
2.31
Braintree
2.11
Saugus
1.89
TABLE III Salaries : Principals, Supervisors Teachers
Norwood
$94.71
Milton
85.12
Dedham
74.81
Greenfield
69.70
Wakefield
66.53
Braintree
61.68
Winthrop
61.57
Milford
58.64
Southbridge
51.35
Saugus
49.59
TABLE IV Promotion of Health
Norwood
$2.47
Milford
2.11
Southbridge
1.52
Dedham
1.43
Milton
1.30
Greenfield
1.22
Saugus
.95
Wakefield
.79
Winthrop
.78
Braintree
.71
TABLE V New Equipment
Southbridge
$2.05
Greenfield
1.26
Braintree
.86
Norwood
.82
Milton
.42
Wakefield
.26
Winthrop
.10
Saugus
.08
Milford
.005
Dedham
.00
TABLE VI Total for Support
Norwood
$127.09
Milton
114.54
Greenfield
100.30
Dedham.
98.19
Wakefield
89.45
Braintree
82.36
Winthrop
81.12
Milford
81.08
Southbridge
75.88
Saugus
67.65
Establish Industrial Arts Course
In September 1940 the School Committee created the nucleus of an Industrial Arts program for boys. This work is being conducted in the basement of the High School building. The School - Committee hired Mr.
William Donovan of
Leominster as instructor. Mr. Donovan is especially well quali- fied, being a four year graduate of the State Teachers' College at Fitchburg where he trained in the teaching of Industrial Arts. The size of the present shop, coupled with the fact that only one teacher is available, has limited the num- ber of boys who can take the course.
The course will eventually af- ford instruction in such subjects as electricity, mechanics, wood- working, etc. with an urgent need for greater variety depending up- on future funds.
Such a course fills a long want but it must be remembered that it is only a beginning. Basement area, now used for cloakroom pur- poses, should be utilized for an expansion of the Industrial Arts program. An expenditure of $2,- 500.00 for additional equipment would enable the school authorities to provide a four year course with added subjects of great value to boys. The annual upkeep for sup- plies, after the initial expenditure, would be about $500.00. This would insure a real four year Industrial Arts course distinctly worth while. The initial Industrial Arts course
11
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1940]
established in September 1940 was created without the addition of an- other teacher. The resignation of a Commercial teacher was accepted but the Commercial vacancy was not filled. Instead the School Com- mittee engaged the service of Mr. Donovan and established the Gen- eral Shop. Machines and supplies were purchased out of the supply item in the general budget. While this was desirable it took funds away from this item, and this fact, plus a cut in the 1940 general bud- get, has left the School Depart- ment with virtually an empty sup- ply room to start the year 1941.
The Athletic Program
The Town Meeting of 1940 turned the Stackpole's Field Sta- dium over to the School Depart- ment. The School Department did not seek such action. It came from outside the School Department. With the jurisdiction over the Sta- dium came an appropriation of $600.00 to maintain the same. The $600.00 was, of course insufficient and had to be supplemented by the expenditure of several hundreds of dollars from finances of the Ath- letic Association. The football grid- iron was partially resown and the clubhouse was repainted. I wish to point out that the huge grandstand is sadly in need of paint. If it is not painted soon it will deteriorate rapidly and the town's investment will eventually be lost.
The school authorities hired the gymnasium of the Cliftondale Community House for two after- noons each week during the win- ter months. This provided intra- mural basketball for high school girls at no cost to the town. The rental was paid out of funds of the Athletic Association. Miss Geraldine Sullivan, a teacher at the Oaklandvale School, kindlly donated her services as coach with- out financial remuneration.
The 1940 football season was again successful and, as usual, the finances from the same carried the freight for the entire school ath- letic program.
I personally believe that our football schedules are too tough for a Class C high school. I also
believe that they are not properly balanced.
No real program of physical education can be developed in the senior and junior high school un- til such time as the school is equipped with a modern gymna- sium. A gymnasium is to a school athletic or physical education pro- gram as a foundation is to a house. We are attempting, under very difficult conditions, to foster physical education program for Junior High School boys. The instructor does his level best under the circumstances. In spite of this I doubt very much whether having to work under such difficulties justifies the expenditure of the money.
Our athletic program finished the year 1940 in the black. Even in athletic Marblehead, according to newspaper reports, the athletic program ended $500.00 in the red. I desire to point out here that the athletic program is now bearing all the financial burden it can carry. Further attempts to saddle more expenditures on its back will cause the whole program to fall of its own weight. There is a limit to the load even a donkey can bear.
Future School Appropriations
For the past six or seven years the School Department has opera- ted its school system on appropria- tions far below those given com- munities of comparable size. It has been done cheerfully and will- ingly. During these years the wel- fare load has been exceptionally heavy and sacrifices had to be made. In 1940 the sum of approxi- mately $2700.00 was lopped off a general school budget which had been figured down to a cent. Such action made it extremely difficult for the schools to operate efficiently in the year 1940. I can personally testify that it has been the most difficult year in my eight years as Superintendent of Schools. An in- sufficient number of new text books were purchased and supplies were virtually at a premium.
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